Just the Medicine: 49% Profit Growth

A new blood thinner and a few other experimental medications could generate thick wads of cash for Medicines Co.

With company-wide sales of roughly $560 million last year, Medicines Co. (ticker: MDCO) is a small drug maker specializing in medications used in hospitals. High hopes surround a new blood thinner, cangrelor. Impressive clinical trial results were released earlier this year, raising confidence that the drug will pass...